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China to continue censoring internet search results
by Priyanka - June 9, 2010 - comments
"The Chinese government encourages the use of the Internet in ways which aim to promote economic and social progress, to improve public services and facilitate people's work and life," read the whitepaper.
China on Tuesday released a government whitepaper in which it praised internet for providing useful information to the customers but made it clear that government will not stop censoring search results on internet.
China’s State Council Information Office published the whitepaper titled 'China’s Internet Situation' and called internet "one of the great scientific inventions of the 20th century" that has brought many positive changes in the society.
However, Chinese government said in a 31-page whitepaper (without mentioning the kind of content) that it reserves the right to censor internet content for the betterment of country as a whole.
"The Chinese government encourages the use of the Internet in ways which aim to promote economic and social progress, to improve public services and facilitate people's work and life," read the whitepaper.
Limited access to information
China clearly stated that it will continue to block access to information on the internet which state may deem as sensitive.
However, Chinese government said in a 31-page whitepaper (without mentioning the kind of content) that it reserves the right to censor internet content for the betterment of country as a whole.
"Laws and regulations clearly prohibit the spread of information that contains content subverting state power, undermining national unity [or] infringing upon national honor and interests," read the whitepaper.
Despite this declaration China maintained that its citizens will continue to enjoy full and free access to internet.
"Chinese citizens fully enjoy freedom of speech on the internet."
Analysts are saying that China, by releasing this whitepaper, has proved that it only wants to give its citizen illusion of free access to information on internet.
Search giant Google Inc. earlier this year shut down its main Chinese search engine and re-directed the traffic to its Hong Kong server because company failed to negotiate with Chinese government on the issue of internet censoring.
China to keep censoring internet
Market experts believes that through this whitepaper China is sending a strong message to the world that it will govern the internet as it deems fit.
"Within Chinese territory the internet is under the jurisdiction of Chinese sovereignty. The internet sovereignty of China should be respected and protected," read a paragraph in the whitepaper.